Journalist of "Dozhd" TV detained in Rostov Region released several minutes after detention

On June 25, Rodion Chepel, a journalist of the "Dozhd" TV Channel, was detained in the Rostov Region, while he was preparing a report for editorial assignment. However, several minutes after his detention, policemen let him go away. This was reported by the journalist himself.

Let us remind you that the detention in the Rostov Region of Rodion Chepel, a correspondent of the "Dozhd" TV Channel, has been reported by Pavel Lobkov, a news presenter of the "Dozhd" TV Channel, during an on air news programme broadcasted in the evening of June 25.

"The case is connected with the district military hospital No. 1602 in Rostov-on-Don, which is located in the 'Voenved' district. In early June, the hospital was approached by a truck with bodies of 31 persons killed in the Donetsk Airport," Rodion Chepel has stated.

The journalist associates his detention with the fact that "military authorities are afraid the media can disseminate the information on the military unit."

"I took a walk throughout the military unit territory, and then I recorded a stand-up outside it. The guards' attention was caught by my camera," said Rodion Chepel. And he continued: "Attendants on duty, majors, and colonels spilled out into the street. They surrounded me and said that they detained me to identify me." According to the journalist, he had to wait for the arrival of policemen for more than two hours.

"Policemen looked at a list with my editorial assignment from the 'Dozhd' TV Channel to prepare a TV report on refugees and wounded persons and let me go away several minutes later," Rodion Chepel said.

According to the journalist, he was informed by militaries "that the place is a strategic site; and any filming is prohibited in its territory."